New plan to turn offices into flats
A DISUSED tower block could be set for a major makeover as part of new plans to convert it into flats.
Newcastle City Council granted approval for Eagle Star House, near the Regent Centre in Gosforth, to be redeveloped into 54 new apartments by Lok Developments earlier this month.
However, it has now emerged that the developer wants to completely overhaul the appearance of the former DVLA offices to make it a more attractive proposition for potential residents.
That will involve constructing another three storeys on top of the nine-storey building, with additional apartments needed to cover the costs of recladding the entire property.
A spokesperson for property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton, which was involved in Lok’s £3m purchase of the site, said that the building is currently “not an attractive place where people will want to live”.
However, Fawdon and West Gosforth councillor Nick Cott says he is “highly sceptical” of the new plans, which he expects will draw the ire of neighbours.
Concerns have previously been raised over the impact that the development will have on severe parking problems in the area, as it is currently used as a car park by drivers heading to the Gosforth Civic Theatre or nearby homes and offices.
Coun Cott, Newcastle’s deputy Lib Dem leader, said: “I think there will be some concerns about raising the height of the building by three storeys because it will be very tall.
“I am highly sceptical, to be honest, and I think there will be an awful lot of interest from the public in these plans.
“There is certainly the possibility of the parking problems getting worse.
“And for residents who live adjacent to the building, I think they will feel that there is an issue for them in terms of facing a tall residential building.
“It will look down over their properties and there will be issues for them about their own amenity being altered as a result of this development.
“It is good that they are doing some public consultation but I expect that there will be some concerns, although obviously we haven’t actually seen the plans yet.
“We need to tread very carefully before looking at such a big extension to that building and I am highly sceptical about it being a good idea.”
Lambert Smith Hampton will now begin consulting with Gosforth residents on the plans, before submitting a new planning application to Newcastle City Council.